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Research, which supporters believe could help Florida's farmers, would have to be privately funded

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Sen. Bill Montford is the sponsor of SB 1726 which would allow FAMU and University of Florida to conduct research on the commercial uses of hemp.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat, Joe Rondone/Democrat)Buy Photo

The Senate Agriculture Committee Monday approved a bill that would allow Florida A&M and the University of Florida to conduct research pilot projects on growing and selling industrial hemp in Florida.

SB 1726, sponsored by Sen. Bill Montford, now goes to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

According to Montford, the bill would give FAMU and UF the green light to conduct research projects on cultivating and commercializing industrial hemp in rural areas of the state.

It would allow the universities to work with private partnerships to conduct and pay for the research. All research would be registered with Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Industrial hemp involves the non-psychoactive species of cannabis and is not the same as medical cannabis. Hemp seed can be used for cooking, its fiber used in clothes and its stalk used in paper products.

The 2014 Federal Farm Act permits universities and state departments of agriculture to grow or cultivate hemp for research, to determine future uses as a commercial project.

So far, 19 states have approved similar bills, with over 30 colleges and universities participating in hemp research.

Former State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda was unsuccessful in getting bills to allow controlled production of hemp — for non-marijuana purposes heard in previous legislative sessions.

Supporters point out that nearly $600 million in industrial hemp was imported into the United States in 2015, mostly from China and Canada.

“I think any research project which will help the state and bring what we call new economic opportunities to farmers in the state will be beneficial,” Robert Taylor, dean of FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, told the Democrat.